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Crop Profile for Pumpkins in Tennessee

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Crop Profile for Pumpkins in Tennessee Crop Profile for Pumpkins in Tennessee Prepared: December, 2001 Revised: July, 2002 General Production Information Tennessee’s national ranking in pumpkin production fluctuates annually often competing for third place with other states and falling as low as seventh place. States producing similar acreage as Tennessee include Illinois, New York, and California. Tennessee's contribution to the national pumpkin production is approximately thirteen percent of total national production. Pumpkins generate approximately $5 million dollars in Tennessee's economy. Approximately 4,000 acres were planted in Tennessee during 2001 and approximately 3,500 acres were harvested. A typical yield per acre averages from 800 to 1,200 marketable pumpkins per acre and varies, depending on type planted. Pumpkins are the most popular vegetable in the cucurbit group (mostly Cucurbita argyrosperma), which includes gourds and summer and winter squashes. The majority of pumpkins grown in Tennessee are grown for ornamental purposes. Cultural Practices Site Selection: Pumpkins produce the best yields and quality on well drained, fertile soils. Seeding Rates: Commonly 1 to 3 pounds per acre but varies with seed size, seeds per hill and row spacings. Planting: Planted at 12' x 12' apart or 10' x 10' apart for large vigorous vine types. Smaller vine types are successfully grown at an 8' x 8' spacing. Spray rows are added for tractor passage for pesticide application and harvest. Pumpkins are planted when soil temperature is 65 degrees at 4 to 6 inch depth around June 15 until July 10. Fertility: There are two common pumpkin production systems used in Tennessee. These include conventional tillage techniques and plastic culture, while less than 5% of total production utilizes minimum tillage techniques. Fertilizer applications depend on the production system selected by the grower. In minimum tillage systems, legume cover crops are grown to help reduce the amount of nitrogen needed. Nitrogen is then applied as a sidedressed application at 15-30 lbs per acre when runners are a minimum of 12 inches in length. Soils low in phosphorous may have as much as 90 lbs per acre added and soils low in potash may have as much as 60 lbs per acre added. In conventional planted The Crop Profile/PMSP database, including this document, is supported by USDA NIFA. system more 30-40 lbs per acre of nitrogen is needed just prior to or at planting. The desired pH range for pumpkin production is 6.1 to 6.5. By having the proper pH, growers receive the greatest return for their fertilizer dollar. Good fertilization encourages deep rooting Vines to grow quickly and reduce weed problems later. Rotation: 95% of the commercial fields are rotated each year, primarily for disease control. Rotation will greatly reduce the potential for disease infestation. Non-cucurbit crops are grown for three to four years. Wheat is often planted in pumpkin fields as winter cover. Strawberries are commonly grown the prior year. Plastic: Pumpkin production on plastic is increasing in use in Tennessee, since this production method results in better early weed control and improved moisture conditions. Also, use of plastic is being done by growers who have the potential for double crop systems. Strawberry growers who produce crops on plastic are beginning to double crop with pumpkins behind strawberries. Pollination: Pumpkins require insect pollination because they do not have both male and female parts in the same flower. Bees are the primary method by which pollen transfers from one flower to the other. Beekeepers are often contacted to place two to four beehives per acre to increase pollination and fruit set. Invasive parasitic mites have reduced colonies of native honey bee pollinators in Tennessee over the past eight years. Production practices: Fields are commonly entered for scouting purposes on an average of 6 times per year. Fields are inspected within two weeks of planting for occasionally spot removal of weeds by hoeing or occasional chemical spot application. Harvest: Starts when rind and stem harden and skin is deep, bright orange. Usually starts in mid September for roadside, grocery, and chain store markets. 80% are harvested in a first-week of October for seasonal fall sales. 90% are sold or in transit by October 10. Fields are usually harvested once in the season. Besides the use of plastic mulches and pre-emergent type herbicides, approximately 25% of the pumpkin acreage has growers who remove weeds by hand and/or hoeing. This normally occurs 2-4 weeks after planting in problem areas. On occasions, areas with greater populations of weeds may be spot sprayed with selective herbicides for reduced grass populations. Uses: Pumpkin production in Tennessee consists of ornamental/seasonal novelty use. Growers commonly feed cull pumpkins to livestock. Production occurs statewide. Varieties: The most common varieties grown in Tennessee are Appalachian, Gold Strike, Magic Lantern, Howden Biggie, and Prizewinner. Worker Activities Land Preparation: Soils are generally “cultivated” prior to planting. One person normally operates a non-enclosed tractor with an appropriate cultivator which conducts this operation. Fertilizer is often broadcast and incorporated during the final soil preparation. Approximately 70% of Tennessee pumpkin production is done on bare ground. Pumpkin production on plastic is increasing in use in Tennessee, since this production method results in better early weed control and improved moisture conditions. Also, use of plastic is being done by growers who have the potential for double crop systems. Strawberry growers who produce crops on plastic are beginning to double crop with pumpkins behind strawberries. Under no-till conditions, no soil preparation is involved; however, immediately before or after planting a burndown and / or a preemergence herbicide is applied. Again, one person operating a tractor and the appropriate machinery conducts this operation. Tractors for this purpose are generally not equipped with cabs. When utilizing plasticulture techniques, one or two additional people are required to assist with the laying of the plastic mulch and drip tape. These people are responsible for securing the end of the irrigation tape and covering the ends of the plastic. This process requires the use of shovels. Planting Method: Seed are planted by hand or mechanically with a planter (seeder). Approximately 75% of the acreage is planted mechanically utilizing a planter. This process requires one operator normally in a non-enclosed tractor. The remainder is planted by hand or using a transplanter where hand contact with the seed is involved. Mechanized lanters are available for use in both bare ground and plasticulture production systems. However, those designed for use in the plasticulture system are very expensive ($7,500) and very meticulous to operate. A small percentage of growers plant two seed and thin the “hill” to one plant after emergence. However, a majority of growers (85% or more) do little or no thinning. Some replanting by hand does take place. Irrigation: Most pumpkins are irrigated utilizing overhead (reel and gun) or trickle irrigation. For the overhead, reel and gun system, aluminum pipe is placed along the end of the field connecting the water source to the reel. The reel is set on one end of the field and the gun is pulled to the opposite end of the field. The gun is connected to the reel by flexible pipe and / or a cable that pulls the gun toward the reel. The reel and gun are moved to the location of the next pass until the entire field is irrigated. In platiculture, irrigation tape is applied during soil preparation or by hand just after plant emergence. The irrigation tape is attached to a manifold at the end or in the middle of the field. This operation is usually conducted just after planting and remains in place until clean up at the end of the season. Cultivation: Depending on the herbicides used and the weed pressure present, cultivation may or may not occur. Probably 50% of the growers mechanically cultivate utilizing a tractor. About 75% of the growers will conduct some sort of hand weeding or hoeing. Often only 1 to 2 hand-weeding jobs will be conducted per season. Scouting: Approximately 50% of the acreage is scouted on a weekly basis. An average number of times of entry for scouting of all scouted acreage would be 6 times per season. The remaining acreage is scouted as is convenient. Scouting generally consists of walking through the field, as well as perimeter observations from a vehicle. Management: Most of the crop protectants are ground-applied. A majority of these applications (80% or more) will be applied using a tractor not equipped with an enclosed cab. Harvest: Pumpkins are hand harvested. Either the day of harvest or a day prior to loading, fruit are often cut and windrowed. Wagons, open or containing bins, are then pulled through the field and fruit are hand loaded onto the wagon or into the bins. Loose pumpkins are often off loaded into trucks or market stands for local sales. The bins are off loaded onto tractor-trailers for shipment to market. The number of harvests ranges from an once-over harvest to 2 or 3 harvests. Worker Safety: Most larger farms which produce large acreage of pumpkins, hire migrant workers or individuals located near their community. Tennessee producers are required by federal and state laws to follow safety standards known as the Worker Protection Standards (WPS). The Worker Protection Standards are regulations which cover pesticide usage in agricultural, forest, nursery and greenhouse production. Any Tennessee producer employing individuals to work in agricultural production must inform and/or train workers concerning the Worker Protection Standards. Worker Protection Standards are standards which are to be followed by employers to help eliminate possible pesticide contamination of pesticide applicators, handlers or workers.
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